Culture & Media

The Celebrities Who Stayed Vegan, and the Ones Who Walked Away

Veganism has gained huge visibility through celebrities and influencers, but the movement itself is not a trend, it is ethics, animals, sustainability, and health. Looking at who has stayed and who has stepped away says a lot about the difference.

Vegans Explore Podcast

Episode 25 · Nov 25, 2025 · 9 min

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Those Who Stepped Back

Miley Cyrus was vegan for around seven years before announcing in 2020 that she started eating fish again, saying her brain was not functioning properly, a comment that revived the myth that veganism is inherently unsustainable rather than a case for better nutritional planning. Anne Hathaway went plant-based in 2011 and reintroduced fish while filming, citing low energy. Ellen DeGeneres, once an outspoken vegan advocate with her own vegan lifestyle site, revealed in 2018 she now eats eggs from her own backyard coop. Lizzo, a major voice for accessible plant-based eating, said in 2024 she added animal protein back for energy, though she still promotes plant-forward eating. Liam Hemsworth reintroduced animal products after a kidney stone, a moment that sparked misinformation despite evidence that plant-based diets are protective against kidney stones when nutrients are managed.

Those Who Stayed the Course

Joaquin Phoenix: vegan since age three, and the producer behind landmark documentaries Earthlings and Dominion.
Woody Harrelson: vegan since the 1980s, one of the earliest modern celebrity advocates, credited with influencing younger stars like Sadie Sink.
Billie Eilish: vegan since childhood, partners with Support and Feed and Farm Sanctuary, and builds sustainability into her tour operations.
Alicia Silverstone: vegan since the late 90s, author of the bestselling The Kind Diet and founder of The Kind Life.
RZA: of the Wu-Tang Clan, ties his veganism to a lifelong moral and spiritual philosophy.
James Cromwell: vegan since filming Babe in 1995, a regular presence at direct actions and animal liberation protests.
Moby: vegan for more than 35 years, a major donor to animal rights organizations and producer of the documentary The End of Meat.

The point is not to shame anyone who left. People evolve and nutrition requires real knowledge and support. But visibility matters, and long-term advocates help ground the public narrative in the fact that veganism is sustainable, ethical, and possible for life.